Elizabeth Willson Photography

A piece of my photography journey

It hung in our foyer. For most of my childhood, it greeted me upon entry and wished me goodbye as I donned my coat at the front door. A photographic image. One that depicted a mushroom from earth level, illuminated in its yellow and orange hue. Rich in texture, layers of leaves and sticks, telling its story of thriving on the forest floor. I came to understand that my father had created this image as part of a photography course he took before I was born. It was matted and framed, displayed as art. It was art. It is art.

I recently discovered a “diary” from my middle-school years and happened to open to an entry from December 24, 1989, that read: “I got a camera, a book, an outfit... The camera is my favorite. I needed a new one badly.” At age 12 I realized a camera was an essential piece of my story…

Of course, I began by capturing life around me: opening Christmas gifts, friends cheesing at school, my brother acting silly. Snapshots. Pieces of life. In a fraction of a second, I had the power to capture experience and embedded memory. 

As a college graduation gift my parents blessed me with my first DSLR and I soon became the de facto photographer for gatherings and special events (actually, some things never change…) With the birth of my children my eyes were opened anew to the wonder of life around me. I began to become invested in capturing the wonder of our daily lives as the moments unfolded. This pursuit was accompanied by delving into online courses, connection to photography communities, and sharing my photographs online. A pivotal piece of this process was an in-person mentorship during which I was enlightened with the truth that I was not simply a “photographer” but an “artist”. I subsequently submitted and had my art printed in magazine publications further confirming my vision. 

As my children grew and my time with them lessened, I began to seek the light and beauty in the creation surrounding me. I invested in creative lenses, delved into selective focus and intentional blur, and continued to observe and capture with a renewed sense of purpose and peace. 

In recent years I have taken my passion forward through educating and connecting with others: teaching, mentoring, writing, and sharing with the beautiful artistic community.